Landing Gear, Landing Gear Actuator

1 FAA Aviation Safety SPECIAL AIRWORTHINESS INFORMATION BULLETIN SUBJ: Landing Gear, Landing Gear Actuator SAIB: CE-13-41 Date: July 23, 2013 This is information only. Recommendations aren’t mandatory.

Introduction

This Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) informs registered owners/operators of M7 Aerospace LLC Models SA226-T/-T(B)/-AT/-TC, SA227-TT/-AT/-AC/-BC, and SA227-CC/ -DC airplanes (under Type Certificate Data Sheets A5SW, A8SW and A18SW) of an airworthiness concern. Specifically, this SAIB provides new procedures to inspect and repair or replace, as necessary, affected airplanes equipped with Bertea (Parker-Bertea, Parker-Hannifin) main and nose landing gear actuators, Bertea part number (P/N) 235600-( ), M7 Aerospace P/N 27-51016, and M7 Aerospace P/N 27-52010.

At this time, this airworthiness concern has not been determined to be an unsafe condition that would warrant airworthiness directive (AD) action under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 39.

Background

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) received reports of cracks in the fixed actuator body lug of Bertea (Parker-Bertea, Parker-Hannifin) main and nose landing gear actuators, Bertea P/N 235600-( ), M7 Aerospace P/N 27-51016, and M7 Aerospace P/N 27-52010, on certain M7 Aerospace SA226 and SA227 series airplanes (specific models referenced above).

In response, M7 Aerospace issued SA226 Series Service Bulletin (SB) 226-32-077 R1 for all SA226 series airplanes, SB 227-32-053 R1 for all SA227 series airplanes, and SB CC7-32-019 R1 for all Commuter Category SA227-CC/DC series airplanes. The SBs provide operators with guidelines for inspecting and repairing the fixed body lug of Bertea main and nose landing gear actuators, Bertea P/N 235600-( ), M7 Aerospace P/N 27-51016, and M7 Aerospace P/N 27-52010; and for replacement if damage exceeds SB repair limits. Prior to further flight, actuators found cracked are to be repaired or replaced if beyond the repair limits provided in the SB.

The SBs do not affect alternate AiRight (APPH) manufactured main and nose landing gear actuators, AiRight P/N 19500-( ). Figure 1 of each SB shows how to identify each manufacturer’s actuator.

Recommendations

The FAA recommends inspection of any M7 Aerospace SA226 series and SA227 series airplane (specific models referenced above) Bertea (Parker-Bertea, Parker-Hannifin) main and nose landing gear actuators, Bertea P/N 235600-( ), M7 Aerospace P/N 27-51016, and M7 Aerospace P/N 27-52010, at the time intervals and using the procedures provided in the respective M7 Aerospace SBs 226-32-077 R1, 227-32-053 R1, and CC7-32-019 R1, as applicable.

We recommend repair or replacement of any Bertea main or nose landing gear actuator found cracked during any inspection following the respective SB before further flight.

2 For Further Information Contact

Anthony Kenward, Aerospace Engineer, ASW-150, 2601 Meacham Blvd, Fort Worth, TX 76137; phone: (817) 222-5152; fax: (817) 222-5960; e-mail: [email protected].

For Related Service Information Contact

M7 Aerospace, LP, 10823 N.E. Entrance, San Antonio, Texas, 78216; phone: (210) 824-9421; fax: (210) 820-8609.